McLean County Times

Illinois Wesleyan University's men's lacrosse team has marked a significant achievement with nine players selected for the All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) teams, maintaining their unbeaten streak in the conference for the seventh consecutive season. The announcement was made by the league office on April 29, recognizing the team's superior performance.

The Titans dominated the All-CCIW selections, with six players named to the first team and three on the second team. Head Coach Zach Iannucci was honored as the CCIW Coach of the Year, marking his fourth time receiving this recognition. Iannucci stands out as the only coach in the conference's history to earn this accolade on four occasions.

Among the players, fifth-year Gage Black, along with seniors Colin Tervo and Sam Skelton, retained their first team status. Juniors Billy McHugh and Karsten Nordlie, and sophomore Timothy McHugh joined the first team honorees. Bob Boone, a fifth-year player, and senior Sam Weinberg repeated as second team members, with Ike Eastburn earning his first All-CCIW selection on the second team. Senior John Kittoe was awarded IWU's CCIW RESPECT award.

Gage Black, who played all four conference games as a midfielder this season, was named an All-CCIW honoree for the fourth time. Colin Tervo, the Titans' starting goalie, achieved a 4-0 record in conference play, ranking fourth in saves per game. Sam Skelton was noted for his defensive contributions and leadership.

Billy McHugh had a notable first season with IWU, making significant defensive plays. His teammate, Karsten Nordlie, registered strong performances in ground balls and plays. Timothy McHugh, with impressive points and assists contributions, also stood out and was recognized with awards as the CCIW Offensive Player of the Week on two occasions.

Bob Boone returned after an injury and was a key player for IWU, leading to his reinstatement on the second team. Weinberg showed a strong all-around game leading to his second team selection, and Eastburn distinguished himself as the conference leader in goals, demonstrating high efficiency in his play.

Illinois Wesleyan will compete as the top seed in the CCIW Tournament semifinals against North Central College, scheduled for April 30 at Tucci Stadium.

In addition to the team honors, individual awards were announced: Eli Spence of Elmhurst was named the CCIW Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year, while Tony Vazquez, also from Elmhurst, earned the CCIW Defensive Student-Athlete of the Year accolade. North Central's Cole Westphal was recognized as the CCIW First-Year Student-Athlete of the Year.